Vintage Campari Poster – Leonetto Cappiello Campari Clowns – Vintage Alcohol Poster – 1924
This impressive Leonetto Cappiello poster was originally printed at an enormous size of 78.8″ x 110.3″ or 2m x 2.8m. The sheer size of the Vintage Campari Poster must have been a captivating spectacle when it first appeared on the billboards and advertising hoardings of the streets of Paris in the 1920s. Cappiello’s Campari clowns would have appeared life-sized, creating an even more eye-catching sight.
As one of the most prominent poster artists of his time, Cappiello was known for his bold and eye-catching designs that stood out in the crowded urban landscape. His ability to capture the essence of a brand in a single image was unmatched, and this poster for Campari is no exception.
The large Vintage Campari Poster is a masterpiece. It was created for the Italian alcoholic drinks manufacturer, Davide Campari Co. in Milano. Cappiello’s great design features two Pulcinella characters standing back to back.
The red clown on the left is dressed in a red and white polka dot outfit, which symbolically represents the vibrant red colouring of Campari, the renowned Italian liquor which was and still is the company’s flagship product. The red Scaramouche is pictured holding a bottle of Campari Bitter firmly in his left hand.
The character on the right is dressed all in white to represent the brand’s clear liquor Campari. He is holding a bottle of the clear Campari Cordial in his right hand, emphasizing its purity and clarity.
The mirror image of the two Pulcinella characters intimates that the two sister products are connected, which is confirmed by both clowns pointing upwards at the brand name Campari. The company name gently arches above their heads in bold yellow lettering. The clowns’ pose and gestures suggest that the two products complement each other and can be enjoyed together.
The conjoined clowns are set against the black silhouette of a large myrtle leaf. The leaf symbolises the drink’s bitter citric taste, which is said to come from chinotto, a citric orange-like fruit that is believed to be one of the liquor’s ingredients. The whole image is set against a trademark solid colour background, this time a beautiful, rich blue. The background, coupled with the black silhouette of the leaf, adds depth to the poster and helps to emphasise the bright colours of the clowns and the text.
This poster was reproduced in a smaller 138x98cm size in the 1950 and again in the 1970s. Those reprints featured the clowns on a purple rather than a rich blue background. You can buy that different colour version here.
Cappiello’s clever use of vibrant colours, striking typography, and symbolic imagery all contribute to the poster’s impact and effectiveness as an advertisement for the Italian aperitif. The Vintage Campari Poster’s design elements are able to convey the brand’s identity and message with clarity and elegance. It was created in the early 20th century, during a time when the advertising industry was just beginning to take off. Cappiello’s innovative designs helped to establish a new era of advertising, where art and commerce were able to intersect in new and exciting ways.
Today, this poster is recognised as one of Cappiello’s masterpieces, a testament to his talent and creativity as a poster artist. Its enduring popularity and influence speak to the enduring power of great design to capture our imaginations and communicate ideas in a memorable and impactful way.
Other Vintage Campari Posters
The Campari drinks manufacturing company has a long history of using posters as a key component of its advertising campaigns, dating back to the early 20th century. The company recognised the power of eye-catching visuals to capture people’s attention and create a lasting impression. By commissioning some of the most talented artists of each era, they were able to create posters that were not only visually stunning but also conveyed the essence of the Campari brand. The Campari Poster featured on this listing is a perfect example.
Whilst Cappiello’s fabulous Vintage Campari Poster is certainly one of the most iconic and celebrated Campari posters ever produced, it is only one in a long line produced by Campari to advertise and promote their drinks. Many of the most famous Italian and other European artists across the decades have designed one… some like Leonetto Cappiello have created more than one.
One of the most influential artists to work with Campari was Marcello Nizzoli, who created several iconic posters for the company in the early 1900s. Nizzoli’s bold and innovative designs helped to establish Campari’s reputation as a leader in advertising and graphic design. Other notable artists who contributed to Campari’s poster campaigns include Marcello Dudovich, Adolf Hohenstein, Fortunato Depero, Ugo Mochi, Bruno Munari, Georges Léonnec, Adolphe Crespin, Bernhard Villemot, Enrico Sachetti, Giovanni Mingozzi, and Gino Boccasile among others. These artists have contributed to the development of Campari’s distinctive visual style and have helped to establish the company as a leading force in the world of beverages.
Each of these artists brought their own unique style and approach to their Campari posters, creating a diverse range of designs that have become collector’s items in their own right. Many of these posters are now regarded as masterpieces of graphic design and have been featured in exhibitions and museum collections around the world.
How much is an original 1924 Leonetto Cappiello Vintage Campari Poster worth?
The value of an original 1924 Leonetto Cappiello Vintage Campari Poster can vary greatly depending on factors such as its condition, rarity, and provenance. Other factors include its historical significance, rarity and visual appeal. Cappiello’s Campari poster is an example of Italian poster art during the early 20th century, with its bold graphic design and use of vivid colours characteristic of the artist’s unique style. In general, vintage Campari posters are highly collectable and can be very valuable, with some selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
This particular Vintage Campari Poster is almost unique. Its iconic status and the popularity of Campari as a brand also make it a highly desirable piece of art. The fact that these posters were so large hasn’t helped many survive. That any have is quite remarkable. These factors combine to make the original 1924 stone lithographed prints of this rare Campari poster a highly sought-after item among collectors, commanding a high price at auction or in private sales.
An online search reveals that original copies of this poster are currently (2021) relatively easy to find. Mostly because the poster has been reproduced since its original print run, both in the 1950s and the 1970s and in various formats. Lithographic reproductions of the Vintage Campari Poster, printed at 138x98cm in size in the 1950s and 1970s vary in price for between £1500-£3000. But those big 2m x 2.8m Campari Davide stone lithos posters from the early 1920s are a different kettle of fish. Unbelievably in our search, we found three originals available. One was listed in an auction with an estimated guide price of between £3,000 – £5,000, a price which would no doubt increase once the competition started to heat up.
The other two we found were both private sales. the condition of the first one was classified as a B/B+ which could be bought for $6,500 while the second was in better condition and featured a price tag of £15,000. Well worth the price no doubt but after paying that for it you’d need more than one glass of Campari to recover.
There’s no doubt about it, owning an original vintage poster is a dream come true, and if you happen to come across one and have the cash to spare, it’s a fantastic find. The experience of owning an original poster is unparalleled, and it’s likely that its value will increase over time, making it a smart investment. Unfortunately, not all of us have the luxury of being able to afford an original, even if it’s just an entry-level collectable poster. But don’t despair! Our reproductions are just as awesome, and they cost a fraction of the price of an original. They look stunning when framed and hung on your living room wall, so you can still get that vintage poster charm without having to dig deep into your pockets.
There’s nothing quite like a Campari cocktail to make you feel sophisticated and stylish. By displaying one of our reproductions in your home, you’ll not only add a touch of Italian chic but also show your love for the iconic Campari brand. Plus, with our high-quality printing, your reproduction will look absolutely fantastic on your wall, whether you’re hosting a cocktail party or just unwinding with a Campari and soda. So why wait? Quench your thirst for that vintage look at a fraction of the cost. Hang one in your home bar or living room and you’ll be toasting your good taste for years to come.
